The National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio has issued a Flood Warning covering 43 areas across parts of Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri. The warning was issued at 2:02 PM EDT on September 22 and remains in effect until 1:00 PM EDT on September 23.
Among the confirmed affected areas are Pike and Scioto counties in Ohio; Pike, Adams, and Calhoun counties in Illinois; and Ralls, Marion, Lewis, Lincoln, and Pike counties in Missouri, with 33 additional areas also under the warning. Many of these counties sit along or near the Mississippi, Illinois, and Scioto river corridors, where rivers and streams can rise quickly after periods of heavy rain.
What readers might notice: Rising water on rivers, creeks, and streams; water covering low-lying roads, bridges, and farmland; and possible closures on rural routes and near river crossings. In some spots, water may approach homes, basements, and businesses in flood-prone lowlands.
Who is affected: Residents of the 43 listed counties and areas, particularly those living near rivers, streams, and low-lying terrain, as well as drivers traveling through the region over the next 24 hours.
Sensible steps to take
1. Never drive through floodwater. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down, and 12 inches can carry away a small car. Turn around and find another route.
2. Move valuables and vehicles to higher ground if you live in a known flood-prone spot, and keep a phone charged in case conditions worsen overnight.
3. Monitor local updates through weather radio, local news, or county emergency management, since river crests and road closures can change as water moves downstream.
This warning is in effect through 1:00 PM EDT on September 23. Data for this alert comes from the National Weather Service (NWS Wilmington, Ohio).
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I live in one of these areas?
Avoid driving on roads near rivers and creeks, never cross water-covered roadways, and move belongings out of basements or low areas if your property has flooded before. Keep a charged phone handy for updates through tonight.
How long will this flood warning last?
The warning is currently in effect until 1:00 PM EDT on September 23, though it could be extended if rivers remain above flood stage. Check for updated statements from your local NWS office.
Are flash floods or river floods the concern here?
This warning mainly covers flooding along rivers and streams in the affected Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri counties, which tend to rise and fall more slowly than flash floods but can stay high for a day or more.
Which counties are included?
Confirmed areas include Pike and Scioto in Ohio; Pike, Adams, and Calhoun in Illinois; and Ralls, Marion, Lewis, Lincoln, and Pike in Missouri, plus 33 additional areas under the same warning.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (82% illuminated), in Aquarius.
Notable planetary angles: Mercury sextile Jupiter (61°), Moon sextile Saturn (62°), Sun sextile Mars (63°), Moon square Venus (94°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 0.7; strongest recent solar flare: nothing notable.
This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.
